Patient’s Estimation of Efficacy of Various Hyperhidrosis Treatments in a Dermatological Clinic

Abstract

Hyperhidrosis is a common ailment, which is accompanied by a low quality of life. There are many current treatment options. The aims of this study were to investigate: (i) the characteristics of sweating in patients referred for hyperhidrosis; (ii) their quality of life, using the Dermatology Life Quality Index and the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale; and (iii) their estimation of efficacy of the treatments given, using a patient’s global assessment score and the quality of life scores. In 47 of 94 patients (50%) responding to the questionnaires, hyperhidrosis was confined exclusively to the axillae. In 21 (22%) of the patients, sweating in the axillae was combined with sweating of the hands and/or feet, face or other, more widespread, regions. Fifteen patients (16%) had generalized hyperhidrosis. In half of all cases, sweating occurred in attacks. Attacks were mostly triggered by warmth, exercise, emotions, or had no apparent cause. Quality of life was low in all cases. All treatments improved quality of life.